John Arthur Trollope

A Chief Officer with S.S. Bibury (London), John died on 2nd of September 1940 aged 42.

John was born at Lowestoft on 1 January 1898, a son of Cecil and Ellen Trollope. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 28 January 1898 and his family lived at 97 Queens Road. By 1901 they were living at 100 Beresford Road and in 1911 they lived at 66 Saint Margaret’s Road which was the family home until at least 1939. 

John was educated privately until 17 September 1907 when he joined the Lowestoft School of Science.  

On 17 September 1913 John began a Merchant Navy apprenticeship and served on the S.S. Stagpool until 17 August 1917. On 5 December 1917 he joined the S.S. North Point as Third Mate and was promoted to Second Mate on 14 July 1918. He served with the North Point until 14 September 1919. John received his certificate of competency as a Second Mate on 14 May 1920. He served with S.S. Stagpool from 18 October 1921 to 8 December 1922. John was awarded his certificate of competency as a First Mate on 30 April 1923. From 26 November 1923 to 13 October 1924 he served on the S.S. Clearton and from 6 November 1925 to 19 June 1926 on the S.S. Islemoor. He was awarded his certificate of competency as a Master, this making him a Master Mariner, on 7 December 1926. On 7 January 1927 he joined the S.S. Zurichmoor. 

In 1928 John married Leah Jane Edwards, this was registered in the Cardiff district. In 1931 their home was at 3 Hilda Street, Barry, and by 1940 at Corton, Claude Road West, Barry.

John served with S.S. Orangemoor from 30 March 1928 and with the S.S. Pearlmoor, as Chief Officer, from 20 September 1929. He joined the S.S. Fernmoor on 15 January 1936. In July 1939 he was the Master of the S.S. Vinemoor and, by September 1940, John was the Chief Officer of S.S. Bibury. 

On 2 September 1940 the Bibury was sailing in the Atlantic Ocean to the north-west of Ireland and was sunk by German submarine U-46. All 39 of the crew, including John, were lost.